True Devotion: The Path of Service and Compassion

True Devotion: The Path of Service and Compassion

A Devoted Priest

There was a priest who was deeply immersed in the devotion of God. He spoke in a gentle and respectful manner, treating everyone with kindness. His sweet nature and virtues earned him great respect and admiration from the people.

Every morning, the priest would come to the temple and spend his entire day in prayer and worship. Over time, people began to believe that if they shared their problems with him, he would surely convey them to Lord Krishna (Bihari Ji) and help find a solution.

A Carriage Driver’s Dilemma

One day, a carriage driver heard travelers talking about the priest’s devotion. He felt a strong desire to visit the temple, but his work kept him busy from morning till night. His livelihood depended on driving the carriage, so he couldn't afford to leave his job.

Unable to visit the temple, he was constantly burdened with guilt. He felt as though he was moving away from God and that his life was becoming meaningless. He started to believe that he was a great sinner. This thought weighed heavily on him, causing him distress. He often found it difficult to focus on his work, growing more exhausted each day. His horse became restless, the carriage wobbled, and passengers would often scold him.

As time passed, his inner turmoil grew. One day, he made up his mind to visit the temple and discuss his concerns with the priest.

The Priest’s Wisdom

Upon reaching the temple, the carriage driver asked the priest,

*"I drive my carriage from morning till evening to support my family. Because of this, I don’t get time to visit the temple, let alone perform rituals. Should I leave my job and start coming to the temple daily for worship?"*

The priest saw the guilt and fear in his eyes. Smiling gently, he asked,

*"Why does this make you so sad?"*

The driver replied,

*"I fear that God might punish me in the afterlife. I have never worshipped properly, and I don't know if I ever will."*

Hearing this, the priest asked,

"Throughout your work, have you ever given a ride to an elderly person, a disabled individual, a child, or a poor person without asking for payment?"

The driver answered,

"Yes, I often do that. Whenever I see someone in need, I offer them a free ride."

The priest was pleased to hear this. He then said,

"You must not quit your job. Helping the needy, elderly, sick, and helpless is the true form of devotion."

Service is the Purest Form of Worship

The priest continued,

"For those with compassion in their hearts, the entire world is a temple. Temples are meant for those who cannot serve others through their deeds. But you, through your actions, are already engaging in true worship."

Honest work to support one’s family and kindness toward others are what please God the most. If you abandon your noble work, it would not bring joy to the Divine."

Prayers and hymns certainly bring peace to the mind, but all living beings are children of God, and serving them is equivalent to serving the Divine."

A Lesson for Society

The priest concluded with an important message,

No matter what community you belong to, if you harbor jealousy or speak ill of someone rising in society, you are a disgrace to your people."

Hearing this, the carriage driver felt a great sense of relief. He resumed his work with a happy heart, realizing that true devotion does not lie in mere rituals, but in serving others with kindness and compassion.

Moral of the Story:

True devotion is not just about visiting temples and performing rituals; it is about fulfilling one's duties with honesty and serving others with kindness and selflessness.